How to use your juicer

Jen Klein is a New England-based technical writer and mother of three. When she isn't asking her kids to stop bickering, "caramelizing" the dinner or actively ignoring the dust bunnies under the couch, she enjoys knitting, gardening, pho...

Fresh juice every day

When juicers became available for home use several years ago, I wanted one. I've loved juice and smoothie shops for as long as they have been around. When we first brought our juicer home, we used it a lot. Then, of course, the novelty wore off, and it came out of the cabinet less and less. However, the season's juicy, sweet, delectable fruit has inspired us to make the juicer a part of our regular healthful eating routine.

If you have or acquire a juicer, how do you prevent it from being just another appliance taking up space? It takes a bit of commitment at first, but then it becomes a habit. Soon enough, you won't know how you lived without it. Beyond the benefits of the ultra fresh nutrients in your glass, it just tastes so good.

Keep it out, keep it clean

Yes, I know: One more piece of clutter on the countertop. But it's not technically clutter if you use it frequently. And if keeping it out is what keeps you using it, I say keep it out.

Additionally, keep your juicer clean. Wash it soon after use so pulps and sugars don't dry onto key parts and thus make it harder to clean. And if your juicer is always clean and ready to go, you're more likely to use it.

Follow directions for your juicer

No matter what fruits and vegetables you choose, make sure to clean them well prior to juicing. And most important, follow directions and suggestions for your particular juicer to properly prepare and/or chop ingredients for the best juicing results.

Stock up on suitable juicing ingredients

Great juice ingredients aren't just fruits; veggies also work very well. My husband's favorite is fresh carrot juice, and if we've just pulled them from the garden, all the better. A great secret is the slightly-past-prime cart at the back of the market's produce section. With every weekly grocery trip, I stop there to see what's available. This is produce that is slightly past top condition and maybe doesn't look perfect anymore, but it's not rotting and is still very tasty. Perfect for juicing!

The best fruits and vegetables for the juicer

Keep in mind that bananas and sometimes peaches tend not to juice very well - they muck up the juicer - but I've done quite fine with plums. Here is a delicious array of other fruits and vegetables to consider for your juicer.

Fruits to consider:

Grapes

Apples

Pears

Oranges

Grapefruit

Lemons

Limes

Kiwi

Pineapple

Mango

Cherries

Cantaloupe

Honeydew melon

Watermelon

Strawberries

Blueberries

Coconut

Pomegranate

Veggies to consider:

Carrots

Parsnips

Celery

Beets

Bell peppers

Tomatoes

Turnip

Cucumber

Asparagus

Other flavor additions:

Ginger

Cayenne pepper

Cinnamon

Honey, but just a touch, if you need a little extra sweetness

Combinations of these ingredients will leave you experimenting for a very long time. And after juicing, you can turn to the blender to make smoothies with your fresh juice and a little yogurt.

Think beyond the glass

Sure, your fresh juices are delicious straight out of the machine, but having a juicer is about more than just juice. What about making sorbets from your juice? Popsicles for the kids? Or ice cubes for summer beverages? Consider new juice combinations for some very gourmet cocktails. Make marinades or soups -- either sweet summer soups served cold or savory winter soups served warm.